City of Greater Bendigo councillor Rod Fyffe has made the first donation of the 2018 Bendigo Community Coat Drive.
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Cr Fyffe visited Pristine Dry Cleaners in High Street on Monday to deliver some coats to manager Jane Townsend and Bendigo Community Health Services chief executive officer Kim Sykes.
The 2018 Bendigo Community Coat Drive runs from May 7 to May 26.
Pristine Dry Cleaners will dedicate a machine every day for three weeks to ensure all donated items are cleaned before going to those in need this winter.
Related: Importance of coat drive increasing
Bendigo Community Health Services received more than 1700 donations last year.
Ms Sykes said there were people in the community who went cold and hungry every winter.
“There are people in Bendigo living in cars or the streets and houses where there’s no money for heating,” she said.
“The Bendigo Community Coat Drive is a great opportunity for the community to help others in need. A coat or blanket makes a huge difference to someone really struggling.
“All the coats we collect will be distributed through our sites.
“We can’t thank Pristine Dry Cleaners enough for their support. The team cleans more than 1700 items in three weeks free of charge which is such a wonderful and generous thing to do for the community.”
Cr Fyffe said the Bendigo Community Coat Drive was a great cause.
“It’s certainly one that’s desperately needed in the community and from that point of view anyone that can donate a coat or jumper should do that,” he said.
“In winter people are more prone to colds and flu and that type of thing, so if we can keep people warm and that contributes to their health and wellbeing then that’s a great idea.”
Pristine Dry Cleaners manager Jane Townsend said the coat drive was a way for the business to give back to the community.
“It’s good for the community and people who are in need, especially in the colder weather,” she said.
“Most of the coats we get are good quality. We even get stuff that’s especially handmade for the coat drive.”
Drop off points for coat donations:
Pristine Dry Cleaners:
- Shop 141/157-161 High Street, Bendigo
Bendigo Community Health Services sites:
- Bendigo Central - 165-171 Hargreaves Street
- Eaglehawk – 3 Seymoure Street
- Kangaroo Flat – 13 Helm Street
How to get more information/questions:
Anyone wanting more information on the 2018 Bendigo Community Coat Drive should visit www.bchs.om.au or email bchscomms@bchs.com.au or call (03) 5448 1600.
